Global Courant
Syria claims it was defending itself against a large-scale missile attack from Israel on Sunday after fragments of a Syrian anti-aircraft missile landed in an Israeli town.
The Israeli Defense Forces say none of their planes were damaged in the exchange and the debris caused no injuries. Syrian officials say they shot down most of the Israeli missiles before they reached their target near the city of Homs, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut.
The Israeli military says the strike targeted air defense batteries in Syria as part of a long-running campaign against Iranian-allied forces in the country.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the IDF has more than doubled its attacks in Syria since taking office last year.
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Syria claims its defense batteries shot down most of the Israeli missiles aimed at anti-aircraft missiles on Sunday. Israel says none of its fighter jets were damaged.
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Israeli officials have acknowledged carrying out hundreds of strikes against Iranian targets in neighboring Syria — where Iran has sent advisers and troops to assist President Bashar Assad in a 12-year civil war. But officials have provided few details over the years and rarely comment on specific operations.
“Iran wants to expand its reach to the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and even the shores of the Mediterranean,” Gallant warned in May. “This is a structured plan designed to threaten trade and air routes – both military and civilian – creating a permanent threat in the maritime arena.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the IDF has more than doubled its attacks in Syria since taking office last year. (Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images)
Iran-backed forces in Syria have been attacking US and allied forces in Syria over the past year. Intermittent missile strikes and high-explosive drone strikes have hit a US base near the Al-Omar oil field.
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The US currently has about 900 troops stationed in Syria and is conducting its own missile strikes against Iranian-allied targets.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
